Marijuana dispensary no big deal in Biddeford

Sunday

Mar 17, 2013 at 6:00 AMMar 17, 2013 at 8:54 AM

By Donna Boynton TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

This city of about 22,000 is located near Saco and a half-hour south of Portland. It is a former mill city that has seen better days, with people more concerned with economic revitalization than medical marijuana.

There seem to be two types of people here — those who know of the dispensary and are proud of being on the forefront of the medical marijuana movement, and those who were unaware such a business was located in town.

“Put simply, it is as though they don't exist,” Police Chief Roger P. Beaupre said when asked if the police have responded to any incidents at the dispensary or if marijuana use in the city has increased because of its presence.

When considering the Canuvo application to locate on Wellspring Road, City Planner Greg D. Tansley said the Planning Board had to think of the dispensary as a business, regardless of members personal feelings about medical marijuana.

“If we didn't allow it, it would be like saying we don't want a pharmacy,” Mr. Tansley said. “If the state allows this as a viable medical option, and we allow a typical standard pharmacy, then we should allow these.”

Mr. Tansley said the city consulted with its lawyers, not sure what to expect when the public hearings on the regulations and the dispensary. What they got was a surprise.

“When we were adopting the regulations, there was virtually no comment. People who spoke were in support of it, needed it and thought it served a useful purpose.”

Mr. Tansley said initially there was some concern from the other businesses in the building about how the dispensary would operate, if there would be an odor permeating the building.

Mr. Tansley added that Canuvo does operate under pressure, knowing that it has set a precedent and all eyes are watching.

“This is one public health district. They have the license for this one district; they don't want to screw it up and lose the license.”

Nicole Underwood is a stylist at the Hair Shak on Main Street. She's aware of the dispensary and has some relatives who go there for medical marijuana to treat their illnesses.

The dispensary, located about 2.5 miles from downtown proper, is not an issue on Main Street, Ms. Underwood said, adding that neither is marijuana use in downtown Biddeford.

“You never hear about it around downtown, and it doesn't affect any businesses here,” Ms. Underwood said.

But there was discussion around town, nonetheless, when word of the dispensary first spread.

“It's just like the homes for the mentally ill,” said Tina Maurice, a town resident. “Everybody knows we need them, but no one wants them in their backyard.”

Lucas Chasse, a tattoo artist at Coopa Creations, is a lifelong resident of Biddeford. Like many longtime Biddeford residents, he remembers a city that was once a thriving mill city, but has slowly become a shadow of what it used to be. While a medical marijuana dispensary alone won't be a catalyst for the downtown revitalization he hopes for, it is a sign that the city is open to progressive ideas.

“Sure, I know it's here and I don't have a problem with it,” Mr. Chasse said, standing outside his shop with Victoria Grant.

“It's a shock to me, really, that Maine would have medical marijuana before Massachusetts. People seem to think this state is behind in a lot of things, but the fact is we are pushing something like this, something that will bring people up and attract new people and new places. It's cool that we are ahead in something progressive like this.”

Josh Hackett stood outside a vacant storefront on Main Street, smoking a cigarette.

“I didn't even know it was here,” the Biddeford resident replied when asked about the dispensary. “I haven't really given any thought to how medical marijuana would affect me. I ride the bus and I haven't heard any complaints, and some of those people like to complain!”

Elizabeth Hussey works in Reilly's Bakery.

“I've heard nothing but positive feedback,” Ms. Hussey said, as she was boxing an order of pastries for a customer. “Sure, there is still some resistance to it, but if it helps people with AIDS, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, it should be more acceptable. I know people with RA, I know how painful it is, and if it is a choice between not sleeping because of the pain and sleeping with just enough marijuana to take the pain away, give them that choice.”

Ray LaRose of Saco, Maine, works for the city of Biddeford. As he walked his dog, Cooper, near City Hall, he said he was unaware that a dispensary existed in the city.

However, he was torn about the use of marijuana as medicine.

“It's a drug. How do you classify it otherwise?” Mr. LaRose said. “It's good and it's bad. I do see the medical benefits, I do. But I do worry about abuse? It's a tricky situation.”

Mr. LaRose added that he was concerned that a dispensary could be a target for robberies like other pharmacies.

“It really depends where you put it,” Mr. LaRose said. “If you put it in town, you are looking for issues. If you put it out of town, that might be better. I do see a good side to it, but like all other drugs, there is a bad side.”

Contact Donna Boynton at dboynton@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @DonnaBoyntonTG